Kolkata (Calcutta)
Kolkata, the former capital of British India, is a large city in eastern India known for colonial buildings, old trams, street-side book stalls and sweet shops.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, on the Hooghly River in eastern India. It was the capital of British India until 1911, when the government moved to Delhi, and colonial buildings still fill its center. The Victoria Memorial, a white marble hall set in gardens, is the best-known of them. The city also runs trams, among the few still operating in India. Book stalls line College Street, and sweet shops sell Bengali treats such as rosogolla and sandesh.
Visit Kolkata to walk through neighborhoods, eat at small local restaurants and watch street life. The best months are November to February, when it is cooler and drier. The monsoon runs from June to September. Durga Puja, usually held in September or October, brings decorated street shrines and large crowds to the city.
Kolkata (Calcutta) in five
- Allow a day for north KolkataKumartuli, where idols are made, the flower market under Howrah Bridge and College Street's book stalls reward a slow walk. Go in the morning and carry small change for the ferries and tea stalls.
- Ride the metro and the ferriesThe metro was India's first and avoids road traffic. Ferries cross the Hooghly at Howrah, and the old tram still runs on limited routes, a short ride for atmosphere more than speed.
- Check Durga Puja dates before you bookThe festival, usually in late September or October, fills hotels and closes roads around pandals. It is a highlight if you want crowds and lights, so reserve early; otherwise pick another month.
- Check closing days for the Victoria MemorialMany Kolkata museums close on a set weekday, and some stop late in the afternoon. Check hours the day before you go, and see the gardens when it is cooler.
- Plan the leg to Darjeeling by overnight trainSleeper trains run from Kolkata to Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri, with jeeps and the toy train beyond. Book ahead for winter and festival weeks.Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri
Things to do in Kolkata (Calcutta)
See all attractions in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Need to know
- Airport
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (CCU), about 17 km from the center
- Getting there
- Flights; Howrah and Sealdah stations for trains
- Getting around
- Metro, buses, ferries, yellow cabs and app cabs
- Best base
- Park Street or Chowringhee for ease; north Kolkata for old streets
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Cool, clearJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Warm, clearFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°HotMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AprilClear10 rainy daysHigh37°Low26°Very hotAprilClear
Poor
- High
- 37°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh36°Low27°Humid, hotMayRain
Poor
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Humid, hot
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°Monsoon startsJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 266 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon starts
- JulyRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low27°MonsoonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 383 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Monsoon
- AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°MonsoonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 429 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon
- SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Rain, Puja soonSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 347 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, Puja soon
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Durga PujaOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 213 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Durga Puja
- NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°PleasantNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Pleasant
- DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Cool, clearDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
Average daily high and low in Kolkata (Calcutta), 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Sep Durga Puja · Oct Durga Puja
Right now in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 45%
Kolkata (Calcutta)
03:26 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°24°45%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed30°24°10%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu28°22°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri29°20°0%Friday: Clear. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat28°19°0%Saturday: Clear. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun28°19°0%Sunday: Clear. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Mon31°20°10%Monday: Clear. High 31°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 02:36 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Sep–OctDurga PujaKolkata (Calcutta)
Day trips by train
- Santiniketanabout 2.5 to 3 hours by trainTagore's university town of art and village crafts; check hours before you go.
- Sundarbansabout 3 hours to the jetty, usually 2 daysMangrove forest and tigers by boat; book with a licensed operator.
- Chandannagarabout 1 hour by trainA former French settlement with a riverside strand and old churches.
Before you go to Kolkata (Calcutta)
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Plan around Kolkata (Calcutta)
Entry rules, regions and trip planning
Read the guideDarjeelingTea hills and the toy train, by train and jeep
Read the guideSiliguri and New JalpaiguriThe rail gateway to Darjeeling and Sikkim
Read the guideOdishaTemples and coast to the south by train
Read the guidePuriJagannath Temple and the beach, south on the coast
Read the guideGuwahatiThe northeast's main gateway, east by air
Read the guideKolkata (Calcutta) FAQ
How many days do you need in Kolkata?
Two to three days cover the Victoria Memorial, north Kolkata's markets and a few meals. One day is rushed, and four lets you add Santiniketan or a Hooghly boat ride.
Is Kolkata worth visiting?
Yes if you like a lived-in city with colonial architecture, food and book culture more than tick-box monuments. It has less of the standard tourist circuit than Delhi or Jaipur.
What is the best time to visit Kolkata?
November to February is cool and dry. October brings Durga Puja, with crowds and festivities. April to June is hot, and the monsoon from June to September is humid with heavy rain.
Is Kolkata safe for tourists?
Kolkata is generally regarded as relaxed, but use common sense: keep valuables hidden in crowds, use app cabs at night and check your government's current India advice.
How do you get from Kolkata to Darjeeling?
Overnight train to Siliguri or New Jalpaiguri, then a jeep or the toy train up to Darjeeling. Total about 12 hours or more; check IRCTC for current trains and book early.